Zico wrote:DXX-Rebirth ( http://www.dxx-rebirth.com) simple provides new versions of D1X and D2X. I start where the original programmers left it and correct what I can.

Ok you may think D2X will be unnecessary because of D2X-XL but as much as i like D2X-XL there are things in that port where i think "that's not my nostalgic descent". So it's a project like Karx but not with that much new features and stuff. More classic.

Ok when i started my work with linux only there was no XL version. Just
d2x-w32 that couldn't run on Linux. So i did it and now it became what
it is. No competition to d2x-xl but a alternative. Just a hobby

D1X - A High resolution version of the Original Descent, the project is currently being carried on by Zico
D2X - A High resolution version of the Original Descent ][, the project is currently being carried on by Zico

Features:
o high resoution fonts and briefing screens
o possibility to run AddOn levels
o high resolutions up to 1600x1200
o joystick and mouse support
o network support
o record and play demos o OpenGL functions like trilinear filtering etc.
o everything else you know from DESCENT o ... and much more!

Zico wrote:DXX-Rebirth ( www.dxx-rebirth.de ) simple provides new versions of D1X and D2X. I start where the original programmers left it and correct what I can.

Ok you may think D2X will be unnecessary because of D2X-XL but as much as i like D2X-XL there are things in that port where i think "that's not my nostalgic descent". So it's a project like Karx but not with that much new features and stuff. More classic.

Ok when i started my work with linux only there was no XL version. Just
d2x-w32 that couldn't run on Linux. So i did it and now it became what
it is. No competition to d2x-xl but a alternative. Just a hobby

D1X - A High resolution version of the Original Descent, the project is currently being carried on by Zico
D2X - A High resolution version of the Original Descent ][, the project is currently being carried on by Zico

Features:
o high resoution fonts and briefing screens
o possibility to run AddOn levels
o high resolutions up to 1600x1200
o joystick and mouse support
o network support
o record and play demos o OpenGL functions like trilinear filtering etc.
o everything else you know from DESCENT o ... and much more!

Koolbear wrote:
D1X - A High resolution version of the Original Descent, the project is currently being carried on by Zico
D2X - A High resolution version of the Original Descent ][, the project is currently being carried on by Zico

zico wrote:Ok you may think D2X will be unnecessary because of D2X-XL but as much as i like D2X-XL there are things in that port where i think "that's not my nostalgic descent". So it's a project like Karx but not with that much new features and stuff. More classic.

Ok when i started my work with linux only there was no XL version. Just d2x-w32 that couldn't run on Linux. So i did it and now it became what it is. No competition to d2x-xl but a alternative. Just a hobby.

I would like to comment a little on this.

1. Linux

Before there was D2X-XL, I was looking for someone to help me to port D2X-W32 to Linux. At one point of time, I got into contact with zico. When I asked him for help, he refused it to me, because he wanted to do his own project. He told me however that he would like to take from D2X-W32 what he liked and I could help him with that (!). My reply was that either we got the whole package to Linux or he would have to do his project on his own. I couldn't and wouldn't hinder him to use code from D2X-W32 (it's OpenSource anyway), but I wouldn't waste my time on a new project when I had invested such a lot of time in mine.

So much for D2X-W32 and Linux.

Well, I happened to get a Linux machine and could port it myself in very short time.

2. Truth to the Original

I have yet to hear where D2X-XL does differ from the original game. Sure, it has a lot more features and eye candy, but you can turn that all off and you will have a Descent version as close to d2_3dfx as ever possible. So what's this fuss about D2X-XL not looking like Descent?

3. Competition

I don't see a competition either. D2X-R is heading for simply restoring the original. D2X-XL has gone much further with its gameplay and graphics enhancements. Having D1X-R would surely be a good thing, as D2X simply cannot provide the authentic D1 gaming experience.

D2X-XL has gone much further with its gameplay and graphics enhancements. Having D1X-R would surely be a good thing, as D2X simply cannot provide the authentic D1 gaming experience.

I think diversity is a good thing, but I would hope that either of your versions remain compatible with D2 in general. Many people have a tendency to resist change or new things so it's to all of our benefit that the various versions work together.

I'd hate to see anyone spend hundreds or thousands of hours and not have the work they've accomplished to be enjoyed by many!

I look forward to the efforts! IMNSHO It seems smart to me that you gys focus on your respective versions rather than overlapping. At least until such time that you finish D2X Diedel or you Zico finish D1X

Diedel, from the conversations I've had with Zico, he's doing this project on his own simply for his own enjoyment. He's not trying to infringe upon what you're doing by any means; this is just something that he'd like to do on its own. He doesn't care at all how many people use it compared to D2X-XL. I think there's more than enough room for both projects in the community; people have their own preferences, and it may be that some people's setups work better with one over the other. Plus, Zico's D1 updates have been sorely needed since the ceasing of active development of D1X, as you yourself said. I don't know what may have happened between you two, but I do know that Zico's motives are in no way malicious.

I'm all for this D2XX project so long as it Stays Compatible with D2 3DFX, something D2X W32 seems to have disregarded to concentrate on TCP play and that D2X XL has had limited success with. I will note that 3DFX users are invariably using win9X and most D2X users are in XP, when the XP users disable QoS Packet Scheduling game play is better over-all, but there is more to it than that D2_3dfx - D2X compatibility. D2x ver 0.2.5 - SDL1.2.8.0 is Ccurrently still the most compatible with no noticable gameplay abberations in multi games with 3 or more players. D2XL is satisfactory in one on one games with 3DFX.

As for D1XX, it's about time. Descent has a feel of it's own and simply adapting D2X to play the missions detracts greatly from the original 'feel' of Descent.
I've been using D1X d1x143_oglmw on both my 98 machine and XP but the directional sound cues I depend on to locate my opponents is just not up to par and makes me with I still had my P-60 and ISA soundblaster card. (too bad D1-3DFX never got mouse support)

I doubt your claims regarding networking flaws in D2X-XL, as I have never changed the IPX code that is used for multiplayer via KALI.

D2X-XL supports Descent 1 pretty well imo

Today I have made it use the animated D1 textures, too, so the levels should look exactly like in D1X.

D1 cheat codes are now mostly supported, too.

Suncho has helped me to fix a flaw in ship behaviour (no turn banking in D1).

The boss bots now use the proper sounds. The weapon data is the one from Descent 1.

The next thing to add would be the bot models, which isn't very far to go from where I am now. I will however keep the D2 AI, as it's superior to the D1 AI, and cannot be altered by simply exchanging some data.

Thank you. Thank you all for your interest in DXX-Rebirth.
I hope you will enjoy D1X-R and probably D2X-R, too.

Second:
I hope DXX-Rebirth will not provoke any discussions.
As already mentioned DXX is just a hobby of mine. The guy that hosts my site just gave me the idea to make it public online. And till now I don't really think DXX is really something that could match your wishes.
Nevertheless i like to work with _both_ programs and so I do it. And if there are just 2 or 3 people that like it, it's way more than I ever expected.

Unfortunately DXX-Rebirth won't be compatible to D2X-XL. But I would love to work with you Diedel so our projects could profit from each other, even if they go seperate ways.
I don't want to split up the community. I have installed both versions and I love it to enjoy, enjoy and enjoy the games. It's a new experience, every day.
And this is everything I wish.

Agreed with Zico about not being a real competition. I do like a lot more D2X-XL now and is my favorite version of Descent 2, but it's very nice to have another effort to make this old game live on newer systems.

I already downloaded D1X-Rebirth and it's very nice

Maybe i will go for Zico in D1, and for Diedel in D2.
So there is no need for discusions. Everyone makes an exceptional work.

I suggest the most imcompabilites are between the level designs. As fas is i can see you incresed the number ob possible cubes per level. Additionally D2X-XL supports speed tunnels etc, that D2X-R can not do (and imho) not needs to.
And i guess there are much more. This way It is surely impossible to play levels with these features on D2X-R and this way not online (if i manage to get D2X-R online) together with D2X-XL.
But i would love that we could figure out that both versions would be able to play together with standard Descent2 levels. Do you think that's possible?

I really love your new features but I hope you (and everyone else) i want to keep a nostalgic D2 within D2X-R.

It is REALLY no offense to D2X-XL but D2X-R is - as D1X-R my baby and as TopGun said there is room for both. But since there ARE two projects we could try to keep them as compatible as possible.

D2X-XL can handle standard D2 levels in standard D2 way. The extensions do not touch this. D2 only reads the segments that are actually in a level, so if a level is smaller than the max. size D2X-XL allows, it will and can still be read.

I cannot think of a way to offer more D2 nostalgia than D2X-XL does already. You can even have a screen as pixelated as 10 years ago.